Gal Gadot facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gal Gadot
גל גדות
Gadot in 2017
Born	(1985-04-30) 30 April 1985 (age 40) Petah Tikva, Israel
Occupation	Actress model
Years active	2004–present
Title	Miss Israel 2004 (Winner) Miss Universe 2004 (Unplaced)
Spouse(s)	Jaron Varsano ​ (m. 2008)​
Children	4
Signature

Gal Gadot (born 30 April 1985) is a famous Israeli actress and model. She is best known for playing Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe movies from 2016 to 2023. In 2018, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Forbes magazine also listed her as one of the highest-paid actresses. In 2025, she became the first Israeli actor to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Gal grew up in Rosh HaAyin, Israel. She first became well-known after winning Miss Israel 2004. After that, she served for two years in the Israel Defense Forces as a combat trainer. During this time, she took part in a photo shoot that helped her become more famous. This led her to start modeling and promoting different brands. She began her acting career in 2008 in an Israeli TV show called Bubot. Her first movie role was as Gisele Yashar in Fast & Furious (2009), and she appeared in several more movies in that series.

Gal first played Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman (2016). The movie was very successful, and she then starred in her own movie, Wonder Woman (2017), which was a huge hit. She also played Wonder Woman in Justice League (2017) and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020). She also helped produce Wonder Woman 1984. Since then, she has starred in movies like Red Notice (2021), Death on the Nile (2022), and Heart of Stone (2023), which she also co-produced. She played the Evil Queen in the movie Snow White (2025).

Outside of acting, Gal and her husband started a film production company. They also launched a food brand and invested in new companies in Israel. Many people in Israel see her as a national hero and a representative for her country. She has openly supported the Israeli military, which has led to different opinions and discussions.

Early Life and Background

Gal Gadot was born on 30 April 1985 in Petah Tikva, Israel. Her parents, Michael and Irit, are both Jewish. Her family name was changed to "Gadot" before she was born. In Hebrew, her first name "Gal" means "wave," and her last name "Gadot" means "riverbanks." She has a younger sister named Dana.

Her father's family has lived in Israel for many generations. Her mother's family came from Europe, and her maternal grandfather survived a very difficult time in history. He later moved to Israel and shared his experiences to teach others.

In 1993, when Gal was eight, her family moved to Rosh HaAyin. She described her childhood as being in a "very Jewish, Israeli family environment." As a child, she took swimming lessons and played tennis. She also joined volleyball and basketball teams. She was a cheerleader for a soccer team and trained in different dance styles for 12 years. At one point, she thought about becoming a choreographer.

When she was 11, she visited historical sites in Poland to learn about important events. This experience helped her understand the suffering people went through. At 12, she was invited to a "Girl of the Year" competition but said no. She didn't think modeling was for her at first. Later, she realized it could be a fun job that offered exciting experiences.

Gal's first language is Hebrew. She started learning English in third grade and became fluent by watching TV shows like Seinfeld and Friends. She studied biology in high school. Before her mandatory two-year service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), she worked at a fast-food restaurant and as a caregiver for twins. Her mother and a friend secretly applied for her to enter the Miss Israel pageant.

Career Highlights

Early Career and Military Service (2004–2009)

In 2004, 18-year-old Gal Gadot entered the Miss Israel beauty pageant. She didn't expect to win, but she was crowned Miss Israel. After winning, she represented Israel in the Miss Universe 2004 pageant in Ecuador. She later said she didn't try to win Miss Universe because she was ready to start her military service.

In 2005, at age 20, Gal joined the Israel Defense Forces. After a three-month training camp, she became a combat trainer. She taught soldiers gymnastics and physical exercises. She also trained in Krav Maga, a self-defense system, and learned about handling weapons. She completed her two years of mandatory service. She later said it was demanding but special to give back to her community.

That same year, she began studying law and international relations at IDC Herzliya. A casting director saw her modeling photo and asked her to audition for a role in a James Bond film, Quantum of Solace. She didn't get the part, but the experience was interesting. Two months later, she got her first acting role in the Israeli TV show Bubot. She also performed as a mermaid in Festigal Underwater, a musical show for kids.

The same casting director later suggested Gal for a role in Fast & Furious. She sent an audition video and then flew to Los Angeles to meet Vin Diesel. She was chosen for the role of Gisele Yashar in the fourth film of the series. This role became her big break in Hollywood. In 2009, she also made brief appearances in the TV series Entourage and The Beautiful Life: TBL.

Becoming Wonder Woman (2010–2016)

In 2010, Gal had small roles in the movies Knight and Day and Date Night. In 2011, she returned as Gisele in Fast Five. She explained that her character's background as a secret agent allowed for interesting story development. She believed her military experience helped her with the role. Later that year, she appeared in the Israeli TV series Asfur and in 2012, in the Israeli drama Kathmandu. In 2013, she played Gisele again in Fast & Furious 6, where she performed some of her own stunts.

In November 2013, news spread that Gal was being considered for the role of Wonder Woman. In December 2013, it was confirmed that she would play the superhero in Batman v Superman. She described the audition process as very intense. Before getting the role, Gal had faced many rejections in Los Angeles. She even thought about quitting acting. She realized acting was not something she had dreamed of as a child, but she grew to love it.

In June 2014, she signed a deal to appear as Wonder Woman in three movies.

Gadot speaking at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2014 for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

In July 2014, Gal's look as Wonder Woman was shown at Comic-Con. Some people had concerns about her playing the part. Gal responded by explaining her intense training. She took lessons in swordsmanship, Kung Fu, kickboxing, capoeira, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She trained six hours a day for six months to build muscle for the role. That same year, she starred in her first Israeli film, the comedy Kicking Out Shoshana.

In 2016, Gal officially debuted as Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Her performance was highly praised. Critics noted how she brought strength and grace to the character, setting a new standard for female superheroes.

She also had roles in the crime-thriller Triple 9 and Criminal. She described Criminal as her most challenging project at the time. Her last film of 2016 was the action comedy Keeping Up with the Joneses, where she played a secret agent.

Wonder Woman Solo Films and Producing (2017–2020)

Cast of Wonder Woman at the Los Angeles premiere, including Gadot and director Patty Jenkins.

In 2017, Gal starred in her own solo film, Wonder Woman. The movie received very positive reviews. People praised the director Patty Jenkins, the chemistry between Gal and Chris Pine, and the exciting action scenes. Some of her films faced restrictions in certain countries due to her military service and views. She then played Wonder Woman again in the movie Justice League, released in November 2017. During the filming of Justice League, there were challenges during production that were addressed by the studio.

That same year, Gal was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In 2018, she voiced the character Shank in the animated film Ralph Breaks the Internet. She also appeared in the music video for Maroon 5's song "Girls Like You". In January 2020, National Geographic announced Impact with Gal Gadot. This documentary series, produced by Gal and her husband, shows young women making positive changes in their communities. It premiered in April 2021.

Gal returned as Wonder Woman in Wonder Woman 1984 (2020). She also helped produce this movie. It was released in theaters and on a streaming platform in December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film received mixed reviews, but Gal's performance was praised.

Recent Projects (2021–Present)

In November 2021, Gal starred with Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds in the Netflix action comedy Red Notice. The film became Netflix's most-watched movie ever at the time.

In 2022, she co-starred in the mystery film Death on the Nile. This film also faced restrictions in some countries due to her military service and support for Israel.

In 2023, Gal made brief appearances as Wonder Woman in Shazam! Fury of the Gods and The Flash. She also returned to the Fast & Furious series with a cameo in Fast X. Later that year, she played a secret agent in Netflix's action film Heart of Stone. This was the first movie developed and produced by her and her husband's company, Pilot Wave. She called it a very empowering experience. Despite mixed reviews, the film was very popular on Netflix.

Gal played the Evil Queen in the live-action movie Snow White (2025). She prepared for a month to audition for the singing role. During the movie's promotion, she faced some public discussion related to her views. Her performance in the film received different opinions from viewers.

Other Ventures

Endorsements and Modeling

Gal started modeling briefly in Milan before joining the Israeli army. She continued modeling while serving in the military. After her photo shoot for Maxim magazine in 2007, her public image grew. This led to many advertising campaigns and magazine features. She became a spokesperson for the Israeli clothing brand Castro for many years.

In 2013, the CEO of Castro noted that Gal was a perfect fit to represent Israeli beauty. He mentioned her background as both a soldier and a beauty pageant contestant. In 2015, she became the face of Gucci Bamboo perfume. In 2018, Reebok announced a partnership with Gal. She also became a brand ambassador for Huawei, but there was a small social media mistake when a promotional video was posted from an Apple device. Gal explained it was a mistake by her team.

Gadot behind the scenes of Revlon's "Live Boldly" campaign.

In 2018, Revlon named Gal its global ambassador for its "Live Boldly" campaign. The company praised her as a symbol of "strength, beauty, and empowerment." However, her role led to some different opinions, with some people expressing concerns due to her support for the IDF.

In 2019, Gal starred in commercials for the Israeli company Hot, promoting "Israeli pride." In 2021, she became the ambassador for Smartwater. In April 2023, Gal became a new ambassador for Tiffany & Co., a famous jewelry brand.

Production Company and Investments

Gal and her husband, Jaron Varsano, owned a hotel in Tel Aviv, which they sold in 2015. In October 2019, Gal and Jaron started their own film and television production company called Pilot Wave. Gal said they wanted to be in control of their own projects.

In November 2021, Gal and her husband launched Goodles, a mac and cheese brand. Their goal was to offer a healthier version of the popular comfort food. In 2022, the couple invested in Safe School, an Israeli company that creates educational content about social issues for kids and teenagers. This is part of their support for new Israeli companies.

Advocacy and Public Views

Gal Gadot identifies as a feminist and supports women's empowerment. In July 2016, she joined a campaign called "Israel Creates Wonder Women." This campaign highlighted strong Israeli women in different fields to promote female empowerment.

Later in 2016, Gal, along with other Wonder Woman figures, appeared at the United Nations. This was to mark Wonder Woman's designation as an "Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls." The goal was to raise awareness about achieving gender equality. However, some UN staff members had concerns about the character's suitability, and the designation was later removed.

In January 2018, Gal spoke about the importance of gender equality in Hollywood. She also took part in the #WeRemember campaign to promote Holocaust remembrance. That same year, she attended the Golden Globes wearing black to support the Time's Up movement.

In July 2018, Gal visited children at a hospital in Virginia dressed as Wonder Woman, bringing joy to them. In May 2019, she supported a trip for ill children in Los Angeles. In November 2020, Gal congratulated Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their election win, which led to some discussions among her fans. In October 2022, she shared her support for the Jewish community in response to some public comments, which also sparked mixed reactions.

In April 2023, Gal hosted a Holocaust Remembrance event at her home, welcoming survivors and guests. In May 2023, she surprised children from a charity organization during a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood. During the 2025 California wildfires, Gal expressed her support for those affected.

Views on Israel

Gal Gadot has openly supported the Israeli military, which has led to different opinions.

In February 2025, Gal expressed her belief in diplomatic solutions and peace, emphasizing her anti-war stance. She also spoke about her connection to Israel as her homeland.

Personal Life

In 2020, Gal purchased a home in Malibu.

Gal identifies as Jewish and finds comfort in her community, even if she isn't strictly religious. She visited a synagogue to find solace after the October 7 events.

Family Life

In 2006, Gal met her future husband, Jaron "Yaron" Varsano, a real estate developer. They met at a retreat in the Israeli desert.

In 2008, Jaron proposed to Gal, and they married on September 28 at a hotel in Israel. They live in Tel Aviv and have four daughters: Alma (born 2011), Maya (born 2017), Daniella (born 2021), and Ori (born 2024).

Health and Influences

In a 2023 interview, Gal talked about sometimes doubting her work. In February 2024, during her pregnancy with her fourth daughter, Gal faced a serious health challenge. She received quick medical care. A year later, she shared her experience to raise awareness and expressed gratitude for life.

Gal admires actress Penélope Cruz for her courage and individuality. She also sees Yafa Yarkoni as an "Israeli cultural hero." Gal has said she would have liked to witness a historical rally that symbolized the importance of democracy.

Filmography

Film

Key

Denotes films that have not yet been released

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2009	Fast & Furious	Gisele Yashar
2010	Date Night	Natanya
	Knight and Day	Naomi
2011	Fast Five	Gisele Yashar
2013	Fast & Furious 6
2014	Kicking Out Shoshana	Mirit Ben Hatush
2015	Furious 7	Gisele Yashar	Credited and appears in a deleted scene
2016	Triple 9	Elena Vlaslov
	Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice	Diana Prince / Wonder Woman
	Criminal	Jill Pope
	Keeping Up with the Joneses	Natalie Jones
2017	Wonder Woman	Diana Prince / Wonder Woman
	Justice League
2018	Ralph Breaks the Internet	Shank	Voice role
2019	Between Two Ferns: The Movie	Herself	Cameo
2020	Wonder Woman 1984	Diana Prince / Wonder Woman	Also producer
2021	Zack Snyder's Justice League		Director's cut
	Red Notice	Sarah Black/ The Bishop
2022	Death on the Nile	Linnet Ridgeway
2023	Fast X	Gisele Yashar	Uncredited appearance in a post-credits scene
	Shazam! Fury of the Gods	Diana Prince / Wonder Woman	Uncredited appearance
	The Flash
	Heart of Stone	Rachel Stone	Also producer
2025	Snow White	Evil Queen
TBA	In the Hand of Dante	Giulietta Tosches/ Gemma Donati	Post-production
	The Runner	TBA
	Ruin

Television

Music videos

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Gal Gadot para niños

• Israeli fashion
• Women in Israel
• Women in the Israel Defense Forces
• List of Israelis